The Op art movement emerged in the 1960s, mirroring the counterculture of the time in its embrace of visual trickery, graphic shapes and bright colors.
Spreading across Europe and the Americas, the style — whose name is short for “optical art” — influenced advertising, fashion and interior design before fading in the early ’70s.
Op art remained significant, however, for artists and scientists interested in the nature of perception. And today, it’s seeing a resurgence of interest from collectors and interior designers.
Op artists played with the principles of perception, manipulating line, shape, patterns and color to create the illusion of depth and movement. They drew on and evolved methods developed by past movements, from Impressionism to Abstract Expressionism, to produce intense visual experiences.
All the Op artists shared a focus on the gap between what is and what we perceive. Each, however, had a distinct approach to the issue and a unique visual style.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Op art that includes works by Josef Albers, Bridget Riley, Jesús Rafael Soto and more.
Face of Dali - Grey, OP Art Portrait by Yvaral Jean-Pierre Vasarely
By Yvaral (Jean-Pierre Vasarely)
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jean-Pierre Vasarely - "Yvaral", French (1934 - 2002) Title: Salvador Dali Year: 1977 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 200 Size: 35 in. x 24.5 in. ...
Screen
$1,116Sale Price|44% Off
Five Faces of Dali #5, Yvaral
By Yvaral (Jean-Pierre Vasarely)
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Yvaral, Jean-Pierre Vasarely (1934-2002) Title: Five Faces of Dali #5 Year: 1980 Medium: Silkscreen on Arches paper Edition: 164/200, plus proofs Size: 34.75 x 24.375 inches ...
Screen
Oscillation II, Rainbow OP Art Screenprint by James Norman
By James Norman
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: James Norman, American (1927 - 2011) Title: Oscillation II Year: 1980 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 38/95 Image Size: 10 x 32 inches Size: 25 x ...
Screen
Spring Suite (Yellow with Yellow), OP Art Etching by Anuszkiewicz
Located in Long Island City, NY
Considered a major force in the op art movement, Anuszkiewicz is concerned with the optical changes that occur when different high-intensity colors are applied to the same geometric ...
Etching, Aquatint, Intaglio
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
Double Metamorphosis V, Yaacov Agam
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Yaakov Agam (1928) Title: Double Metamorphosis V Year: 1979 Medium: Silkscreen on Arches paper Edition: 69/180, plus proofs Size: 36 x 50 inches Condition: Good Inscription: ...
Screen
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CHROMOINTERFERENCE MANIPULABLE LA DIFFERENCE. Op Art. Limited
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CHROMOINTERFERENCE MANIPULABLE LA DIFFERENCE Date of creation: 2011 Medium: Screen print on plexiglass Edition: 99 Size: 40 x 35 x 10 cm Condition: In perfect cond...
Plexiglass, Screen
CSW 2024.4 (Aquatic whisper of emerald artichoke turquoise green grid painting)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
The series "CSW" explores the marriage of chance-derived gestures with exacting grid geometry. Built upon a multilayered convergence of airbrush painting and hard-edge techniques on...
Spray Paint, Acrylic
serigraph
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: serigraph (after the painting). Printed in 1968 and published by the (op)art galerie of Esslingen, Germany for a rare portfolio. Size: 9 1/2 x 7 7/8 inches (240 x 200 mm). No...
Screen
$600Sale Price|20% Off
City of New York, Op Art Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren
By Roy Ahlgren
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Roy Ahlgren, American (1927 - 2011) Title: City of New York Year: 1972 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 50 Image Size: 20 x 26 inches Size: 23 x 29...
Screen
K-BYMR, Orange OP Art Screenprint by Josef Levi
By Josef Levi
Located in Long Island City, NY
This screenprint was created by American artist Josef Levi. Levi is especially known for his interest in the visual similarities that transcend cultures, like the pattern shown here....
Screen
$38,987
Rose Horizontal -- Screen Print, Stripes, Patterns, Op Art by Bridget Riley
Located in London, GB
Rose Horizontal, 2018 Bridget Riley Screenprint in colours, on Fabriano 5 paper Signed, titled, dated and numbered from the edition of 75 Printed by A...
Screen
$5,500
Victor Vasarely "Axo-Charga" Hand-Signed Limited Edition Serigraph, Framed
Located in Miami, FL
"AXO-CHARGA" BY VICTOR VASARELY (1906-1997) Serigraph on Black Paper ⚜ Signed ⚜ Numbered ⚜ Framed A VISIONARY MASTERWORK OF OP ART "Axo-Charga" is a striking original serigraph by V...
Screen, Paper
$1,750
Oscar Reutersvard Original Op Art Pen, Ink & Watercolor Drawing C.1990
Located in San Francisco, CA
Oscar Reutersvard Original Op Art Pen, Ink & Watercolor Drawing C.1990 Dimensions 8" wide x 11" high Housed in a simple frame - Dimensions 15" wide...
Ink, Watercolor
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
DOR-OR, Victor Vasarely
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Victor Vasarely (1908-1997) Title: DOR-OR Year: 1982 Medium: Silkscreen on Arches paper Edition: 96/325, plus proofs Size: 42.75 x 23.5 inches Condition: Good Inscription: Si...
Screen
$2,261
FELIPE PANTONE - CHROMADYNA MICAP #1 Op Art Abstract Street Art Black Modern
Located in Madrid, Madrid
Felipe Pantone CHROMADYNA MICAP #1 Date of creation: 2020 Medium: Lithograph on paper Edition number: 24/30 Size: 75.5 x 55.5 cm Condition: New, in mint condition and never framed Li...
Paper, Lithograph
Green v. 2, Geometric Abstract Screenprint by Babe Shapiro
By Babe Shapiro
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Babe Shapiro, American (1937 - 2016) Title: Green v. 2 Year: 1972 Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 75 Image Size: 28 x 28 inches Size: 35 x 35...
Screen
Trama - geometric abstract painting
Located in New York, NY
This hand painted piece by Lucchetta is part of the op art series where he is able to catch movement with his unique technique. Lucchetta is challenging himself. His precise stable h...
Paper, Ink, Acrylic
$23,486
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA 21. Limited edition sculpture. Op Art, Modern
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA 21 Date of creation: 2018 Medium: Polychrome ceramic Edition: 20 Size: 80 x 21 x 16 cm Condition: In mint condition This sculpture belongs to one of the...
Ceramic
John F. Kennedy / Abraham Lincoln, Op Art Screenprint by Yvaral
By Yvaral (Jean-Pierre Vasarely)
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Jean-Pierre Vasarely - "Yvaral" French (1934 - 2002) Title: John F. Kennedy / Abraham Lincoln Year: circa 1979 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 14...
Screen
$2,800
Bridget Riley - Rare historic LT Ed Richard Feigen Gallery 1965 Op Art print
Located in New York, NY
Bridget Riley Richard Feigen Gallery 1965 Op Art poster, 1965 Offset lithograph poster Limited Edition of approx. 300 (unnumbered) 21 × 17 inches Unframed Very rare early Bridget Riley poster...
Lithograph, Offset
$1,100
Swiss Artist Large Color Symphony Silkscreen Serigraph Print Kinetic Op Art
Located in Surfside, FL
Hand signed and numbered from edition of 90 Jakob Weder, (Switzerland, 1906-1990) Swiss color/music kinetic artist. known for his oil and tempera painting ...
Lithograph, Screen
$3,000
CSW 2024.3 (Crimson red veiled echoes color-field grid painting on wood)
Located in Quebec, Quebec
The series "CSW" explores the marriage of chance-derived gestures with exacting grid geometry. Built upon a multilayered convergence of airbrush painting and hard-edge techniques on...
Spray Paint, Acrylic
Four Green Shapes in Continuous Space, Surrealist Screenprint by Frank Roth
By Frank Roth
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Frank Roth, American (1936 - ) Title: Untitled - Four Green Shapes in Continuous Space Year: 1978 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 125, AP 30 Image...
Screen
$32,301
"Couleur Additive Perseus" by Carlos Cruz-Diez, 21st Century, Optical Art
Located in Köln, DE
"Couleur Additive Perseus" has a stunning appearance and an optical effect, which catches the beholder's attention from the very first time. Carlos Cruz-Diez from Venezuela was one o...
Screen
Solar Calendar VI, Abstract Geometric Screenprint by Lothar Quinte
Located in Long Island City, NY
Lothar Quinte, Polish (1923 - 2000) - Solar Calendar VI, Portfolio: Solar Calendar (Sonnenzyklus Kalender), Year: 1970, Medium: Screenprint on heavy stock, signed and numbered in ...
Screen
Julio Le Parc (1928) - Pochoir on paper - 1992
Located in Varese, IT
Pochoir on paper, edited in 1992. Limited edition of 50 copies, numbered as 23/50 in lower corner. Hand-signed by artist in pencil. Paper size: 70 x 70 cm Framed size: 70,7 x 70,...
Paper
$27,309
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA TRIPTYCH 20. Limited edition sculpture. Op Art
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA TRIPTYCH 20 Date of creation: 2018 Medium: Polychrome ceramic Edition: 8 Size: 60 x 50 x 13 cm Condition: In mint condition This beautiful sculpture con...
Ceramic
Ascension
By Roy Ahlgren
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Ascension" 1978 is a color serigraph on paper by noted American artist Roy Ahlgren, 1927-2011 It is hand signed, titled, dated and numbered 34/65 in pencil by th...
Screen
Colorful Geometric Abstract OP Art Screenprint by David Roth 9
By David Roth
Located in Long Island City, NY
This screenprint was created by American artist David Roth. Roth's images are proportioned according to a strict mathematical formula - the pictures are composed according to horizon...
Screen
$17,325
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - COULEUR À L’ESPACE NOVA. Op Art. Limited edition sculpture
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - COULEUR À L’ESPACE NOVA Date of creation: 2012 Medium: Chromography on PVC and steel Edition: 75 Size: 52 x 12 x 12 cm Condition: In perfect conditions, brand new ...
Plexiglass, Screen
serigraph
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: serigraph (after the painting). Printed in 1968 and published by the (op)art galerie of Esslingen, Germany for a rare portfolio. Size: 9 1/2 x 7 7/8 inches (240 x 200 mm). No...
Screen
Spacescape II, Surrealist Screenprint by Rita Simon
By Rita Simon
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Rita Simon, American (1938 - ) Title: Spacescape II Year: 1978 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 300, AP 30 Size: 25.5 in. x 36 in. (64.77 cm ...
Screen
$23,542
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA 11. Limited edition sculpture. Op Art, Modern
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA 11 Date of creation: 2018 Medium: Polychrome ceramic Edition: 20 Size: 80 x 21 x 16 cm Condition: In mint condition This sculpture belongs to one of the...
Ceramic
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CHROMOINTERFERENCE MANIPULABLE CARIBE. Op Art Limited edition
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CHROMOINTERFERENCE MANIPULABLE CARIBE Date of creation: 2014 Medium: Screen print on plexiglass Edition: 99 Size: 40 x 35 x 10 cm Condition: In perfect conditions,...
Plexiglass, Screen
$3,750
Untitled Op Art Serigraph, Signed Artist Proof, Framed, 20th Century
By Eusebio Sempere
Located in New York, NY
Eusebio Sempere Untitled Serigraph, Artist Proof Signed lower right Marked P/A Framed in a beautiful gold-leaf wooden frame with archival museum-quality mat. Spanish artist Eusebio ...
Paper, Screen
1970's Enamel Metal Vasarely Silkscreen Screenprint Axo Kinetic Op Art Sculpture
Located in Surfside, FL
Victor Vasarely (1908-1997) Axo This piece is hand signed and numbered circa 1972-1977 I have seen it described as enamel on steel and enamel on aluminium. it is a serigraph on meta...
Metal, Enamel
Yaacov Agam, Fascination, Prismograph
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Tel Aviv, IL
Yaacov Agam,Fascination, Prismograph, Op art, Colored work, International artist, Israeli artist, Israeli art. Op art pioneer Yaacov Agam’s abstract artworks—which range from painti...
Plywood
$16,150
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA 17. Limited edition sculpture. Op Art, Modern
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA 17 Date of creation: 2018 Medium: Polychrome ceramic Edition: 20 Size: 62 x 21 x 16 cm Condition: In mint condition This beautiful sculpture of 62 cm he...
Ceramic
$2,212Sale Price|25% Off
USTEOK
Located in Aventura, FL
Serigraph on paper. Hand signed and numbered by the artist. Artwork size 36 x 18 inches. Frame size approx 49 x 30 inches. From the edition of 200. Certificate of authenticity i...
Paper, Screen
$8,000
Untitled
Located in Palo Alto, CA
Combining patterns reminiscent of tessellation and a large grid-like system, Vasarely turns a plain hexagon into a concave surface. Shades of light and dark play across the 'facets' ...
Wood, Acrylic
Rivotril, 1990
Located in Palo Alto, CA
Created in 1990, this original color serigraph is hand signed by Victor Vasarely (Pécs, 1906 - Paris, 1997) in pencil in the lower right margin. Numbered 270/300, this piece was prin...
Screen
$7,041
YAACOV AGAM - INFINITY TRANSPARENCY. Limited edition sculpture. Kinetic Op Art
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Madrid, Madrid
YAACOV AGAM - INFINITY TRANSPARENCY Date of creation: 2017 Medium: Colored acrylic panels and wood Edition: 45 Size: 63 x 14,4 x 12,6 cm Condition: In mint conditions Infinity Trans...
Wood, Acrylic Polymer
$2,962Sale Price|25% Off
COMPOSITION
Located in Aventura, FL
Serigraph on paper. Hand signed and numbered by the artist. Image size 35.5 x 20 inches. Frame size approx 49 x 32 inches. From the edition of 250. Certificate of authenticity i...
Paper, Screen
VICTOR VASARELY - OEUVRES PROFONDES CINETIQUES I - 1973
Located in Pembroke Pines, FL
Artist: Victor Vasarely Title: Profound Works I Year: 1973 Not signed or numbered, as published Dimensions: 12 in. by 12 in. Framed Edition: From the Rare Limited Edition Publisher: Editions du Griffon Neuchatel Suite: Profound Works Medium: 3D, Serigraph on Acitate Over Serigraph on Paper Condition: Excellent Victor Vasarely (French/Hungarian, 1906–1997) is known as the father of the Op Art movement. As a painter, he created intricate abstractions that suggested depth and dimensionality using a variety of optical illusions, with surfaces seeming to bulge out of the canvas. His works present color, form, and pattern as a single interconnected element—a concept that was critical to the foundation of the Op Art movement and the focus of his mature works. Vasarely initially studied medicine at the Budapest University in his early 20s, only to abandon his medical studies to attend to the Muhely Academy, the center of the Bauhaus movement in Budapest. While there, he was profoundly influenced by the work of color theorist and artist Josef Albers, as well as the Constructivist methods promoted by artists such as Wassily Kandinsky. While Vasarely’s earlier work was concerned more with color theory, during the 1950s and 1960s his work became more focused on the optical potential of the two-dimensional surface. He began to use complex and colorful patterns to actively engage the viewer’s eye, and to convey a sense of kinetic energy across the two-dimensional surface. Vasarely’s work was heavily influenced by his time spent at Breton Beach of Belle Isle...
Screen
$2,261
FELIPE PANTONE - CHROMADYNA MICAP #5 Op Art Abstract Street Art Black Modern
Located in Madrid, Madrid
Felipe Pantone CHROMADYNA MICAP #5 Date of creation: 2020 Medium: Lithograph on paper Edition : 30 Size: 75.5 x 55.5 cm Condition: New, in mint condition and never framed Lithograph ...
Paper, Lithograph
$73,101
Tactile Bleu - Mixed, Media, Oil on board with springs, 40 painted metal discs
By Yaacov Agam
Located in London, GB
Yaacov Agam Tactile Bleu, 1964 Oil on board with springs and 40 painted metal discs 55.9 x 78.7 x 2.5 cm 22 x 31 x 1 in
Metal
Heatwave, 1979, Etching with Aquatint by Barry Nelson
By Barry Nelson
Located in Long Island City, NY
Heatwave Barry Nelson, British/American (1937) Date: 1979 Etching with Aquatint on Arches, signed, titled, numbered and dated in pencil Edition of AP Image Size: 29.5 x 20.25 inches ...
Etching, Aquatint
Regalion, 1983, Etching with Aquatint by Barry Nelson
By Barry Nelson
Located in Long Island City, NY
Regalion Barry Nelson, British/American (1937) Date: 1983 Etching with Aquatint on Arches, signed, titled, numbered and dated in pencil Edition of 15/15 Image Size: 29.5 x 20.25 inch...
Etching, Aquatint
$23,486
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA 22. Limited edition sculpture. Op Art, Modern
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA 22 Date of creation: 2018 Medium: Polychrome ceramic Edition: 20 Size: 80 x 21 x 16 cm Condition: In mint condition This sculpture belongs to one of the...
Ceramic
Oltar-Zoeld
Located in Miami, FL
Victor Vasarely “Oltar-Zoeld” 1985/86 Silkscreen on paper Edition 57 of 295 42 x 68 in Victor Vasarely (9 April 1906 – 15 March 1997), was a Hungarian-French artist, who is widely a...
Lithograph
$27,309
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA TRIPTYCH 13. Limited edition sculpture. Op Art
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - CROMOVELA TRIPTYCH 13 Date of creation: 2018 Medium: Polychrome ceramic Edition: 8 Size: 60 x 50 x 13 cm Condition: In mint condition This beautiful sculpture con...
Ceramic
$7,500
Median with Circles, from Variants 1970 Screenprint 28 3/4 x 28 3/4 in. Edit
Located in Miami, FL
Technical Information: Julian Stanczak Median with Circles, from Variants 1970 Screenprint 28 3/4 x 28 3/4 in. Edition of 125 Pencil signed and numbered Accompanied with COA by Gre...
Screen
Egg (Red), Geometric Screenprint by Kyohei Inukai
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Kyohei Inukai, American (1913 - 1985) Title: Egg (Red) Year: circa 1970 Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 50 Image Size: 25 x 20 inches Size: 35 x 23...
Screen
Egg (Orange), Geometric Abstract Screenprint by Kyohei Inukai
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Kyohei Inukai, American (1913 - 1985) Title: Egg (Orange) Year: circa 1970 Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 50 Image Size: 25 x 20 inches Size: 35 x...
Screen
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
Double Metamorphosis IV, Yaacov Agam
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Yaakov Agam (1928) Title: Double Metamorphosis IV Year: 1979 Medium: Silkscreen on Arches paper Edition: 62/180, plus proofs Size: 36 x 50 inches Condition: Good Inscription:...
Screen
Oscillation I, Rainbow OP Screenprint by James Norman
By James Norman
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: James Norman, American (1927 - 2011) Title: Oscillation I Year: 1980 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 35/95 Image Size: 10 x 33 inches Size: 25 x 3...
Screen
$17,367
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - COULEUR À L’ESPACE ARIEL. Op Art. Limited edition sculpture
Located in Madrid, Madrid
CARLOS CRUZ-DÍEZ - COULEUR À L’ESPACE ARIEL Date of creation: 2011 Medium: Chromography on PVC and steel Edition: 75 Size: 52 x 12 x 12 cm Condition: In perfect conditions, brand new...
Plexiglass, Screen
Big Sur, OP Art Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren
By Roy Ahlgren
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Roy Ahlgren, American (1927 - 2011) Title: Bir Sur Year: 1981 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 150 Image Size: 18 x 25.5 inches Size: 22.5 x 30 in...
Screen
Purple v. 1, OP Art Silkscreen by Babe Shapiro
By Babe Shapiro
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Babe Shapiro, American (1937 - 2016) Title: Purple v. 1 Year: 1972 Medium: Silkscreen, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 75 Image Size: 28 x 28 inches Size: 35 x 3...
Screen
"Quasar Paal 2"
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: offset lithograph (after Vasarely). Printed in 1972 in Neuchatel, Switzerland on thick, high-gloss paper and published by Editions du Griffon for the "Vasarely Progressions 1...
Offset